Welcome aboard, Commissioner Mathers.

OK, so maybe no one is yet ready to officially anoint Craig businessman Tom Mathers with the distinction of being the next Moffat County commissioner.

But, they might be wise to start getting used to the idea.

With no Democratic or Independent opposition, little separated the tavern owner and former county commissioner from reclaiming office after he secured a win in the August Republican primary.

Now, with the filing deadline for write-in candidates having come and gone, nothing stands in Mathers’ way from serving another term. He said Friday that he isn’t disappointed to be running alone.

“I’m tickled, really,” Mathers said. “I didn’t want any opposition. Unless someone runs for elected office, I don’t think they really know how much it takes, how much time it takes.

“It’s kind of nice not having to go through that.”

Mathers, who served as county commissioner from 1988 to 1992, said he would use the next several weeks to handle private affairs.

He will resume focus on county business in October. Specifically, he said, he would begin attending county commissioner meetings to focus on next year’s budget.

“The budget will affect me,” Mathers said. “Whether (the commissioners) listen to anything I have to say, I don’t know.”

Mathers said he most likely would not campaign leading up to November’s election. He said he maintains an open-door policy to residents, many of whom have picked his brain about county topics.

“It’s almost a daily thing that I talk with somebody about the county and their concerns,” he said. “I’m well-versed in the wishes of the people.”

Mathers joins a long list of local candidates running unopposed in November.

That list leans heavily toward the GOP. Like Mathers, incumbents for county clerk and recorder, country treasurer, county assessor, county sheriff and county coroner are all running unopposed.

November’s winners will be sworn into office in January.